Chilean & Argentinean Lake District
From Chile to Argentina
7 Days / 6 Nights
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The different landscape that you will see on the way from Chile to Argentina is more then impressive. On the Chilean side, you will have the green forests, blue lakes, snow-capped volcanoes and wild rivers, where as on the Argentinean side the slush green changes into empty steppes until you reach Bariloche where again you see mountains and wonderful lakes. During driving, you should make some stops at outlooks that are on the way to take some pictures.
Day 1 Temuco – Pucón (112 km / 70 mi)
Pick up your car at the airport or city rental office in Temuco. Your destination for today will be the town of Pucón, located beautifully at the foot of the volcano Villarrica. At the eastern end of the Villarrica Lake and surrounded by extensive areas of native forests, this town will be a good base for visits to the nearby national parks, hot springs, waterfalls and lakes. Overnight in or close to Pucón.
Day 2 Pucón
For this day, we recommend a combination of hiking (5-6 hrs.) in the Huerquehue NationalPark, which will offer you the experience to see the famous Araucaria trees close-up, with a visit to one of the many relaxing thermal springs. Overnight in or near Pucón. (Breakfast)
Day 3 Pucón – San Martín de los Andes (192 km / 120 mi)
For today’s border crossing to Argentina you can choose between two very interesting options: You can cross the Andes by taking the Mamuil Malal Pass, where the scenery changes surprisingly from farmland to lush vegetation of ative coigüe and araucaria forests to the dry Argentinean Pampa. A second option to get to San Martín is across the Huahum Pass. Follow the road south of Pucón to Panguipulli and then board the small ferry on Lake Piriheuico for a 2 hour crossing of the quiet and peaceful lake. Upon arrival continue your trip to the Argentinean border and nearby San Martín (prior reservations are recommended to guarantee space on the ferry and can be made by phone). Overnight in San Martin de los Andes. (Breakfast)
Day 4 San Martín - Bariloche (169 km / 111 mi)
Explore the 7 beautiful lakes on the route to San Carlos de Bariloche and pass through 2 national parks, first Lanin and then Nahuel Huapi. The (unpaved) Seven Lake Route will take you to the tranquil village Villa Angostura; from there you will drive along Nahuel Huapi Lake to Bariloche. An excellent option to get to Bariloche is to use the highway 23/237 via Junín de los Andes. Here, a stunning and totally different scenery can be observed, especially passing through „Valle Encantado“, a vast area with rocks in unique shapes formed by erosion. Condors are frequently spotted along this route. Overnight in or close to Bariloche. (Breakfast)
Day 5 Bariloche – Puerto Varas (310 km / 194 mi)
Today you will drive back to Chile over the Cardenal Antonio Samoré Pass at an altitude of 1,308 m / 4,291 ft above sea level. Here, you will cross from Nahuel Huapi National Park into the Chilean Puyehue National Park. At the Hotel & Hot Springs Puyehue you can rest, have lunch or enjoy a soothing bath in the thermal pools. Continue southbound on the Panamerican Highway to Puerto Varas, located on the shores of the enormous Llanquihue Lake. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (Breakfast)
Day 6 Puerto Varas and Surroundings
Puerto Varas is a good starting point for excursions to nearby national parks like Alerce Andino or Vicente Pérez Rosales. Both offer interesting hiking trails. Choose from a wide variety of activities, including the crossing of the Lake Todos los Santos to Peulla in a catamaran. Overnight in Puerto Varas. (Breakfast)
Day 7 Puerto Varas – Pto. Montt (20 km / 12 mi)
Return your car at Puerto Montt Airport or the downtown rental office. (Breakfast)
| Season (mm/dd/yyyy) | Categories | Class |
Double | Sgl Traveller | Sgl Supl | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/01/2010 - 04/30/2010 | First |
C |
USD 829 | USD 1569 | ||
| 01/01/2010 - 04/30/2010 | First |
G |
USD 989 | USD 1889 | ||
| 01/01/2010 - 04/30/2010 | Deluxe |
C |
USD 999 | USD 1919 |
Tour includes: 6 nights including breakfast, 7 days' car rental incl. unlimited free mileage, local tax, full CDW coverage, drop off charge, international permission to cross into Argentina, roadmap and descriptions.
Not included: In Chile car rental companies charge an additional airport service fee at the time of vehicle pickup at the airport. This service charge is not included in the rates above, it has to be paid upon returning the car.
